Missouri House blocks pay increase for at-home caretakers

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri House rejected a ruling by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services that would increase wages for at-home caretakers.

At-home caretakers work through third-party organizations to provide health care throughout the state to senior citizens who are no longer about to care for themselves. The workers are paid with Medicaid funds.

The proposed rule aims to raise wages from the current minimum of $7.65 per hour to range from $8.50 to $10.15 per hour. Representative John Wiemann told KOMU-8 that GOP House Speaker Todd Richardson made a point to come down to floor to refute the ruling on Wednesday. Richardson said the department does not have the authority to raise wages for the workers.